Profoto HSS. It Is Here. Start Using It Today.

Up until now, HSS solutions have been either consistent but lacking in speed and power, or fast and powerful but inconsistent. Today, we release Profoto HSS – a new solution that has all of the benefits and none of the limitations.

High-Speed Sync (HSS) is the technical term for syncing flash with shutter speeds shorter than the so-called x-sync, typically 1/250 of a second. It is a useful tool for controlling ambient light and for freezing action. But there used to be limitations.

Current solutions for speedlights give you a fairly even exposure. But it does so at the expense of speed and power. Previous solutions for larger flashes were faster and more powerful. But the exposure could differ as much as 2 f-stops in a single shot.

Profoto’s new solution for the B1 Off-Camera Flash has all of the benefits and none of the limitations. The B1 itself is about ten times as powerful as the average speedlight and fast enough to keep up with your camera. With the new Profoto HSS upgrade installed, you switch to HSS Mode with a simple button-press. You will then be able to shoot at shutter as fast as 1/8000 of a second.

But it does not stop there. Profoto HSS is a unique, patent-pending technology, providing an extremely fast series of flash pulses. What this means in practice is that you get an extremely consistent exposure with no measurable variation over the image.

In other words, Profoto HSS is fast, powerful and consistent. This will open up a whole new world of light shaping possibilities for you. For instance, you can now shoot with a large aperture in bright conditions to get a shallow depth of field and get that perfect deep blue sky. Or capture super crisp action in mixed light conditions without getting motion blur from ambient light. Etcetera, etcetera.

Needless to say, Profoto HSS works for both Canon and Nikon and has been tested for all common camera models.

Also note that you can use Profoto HSS both with and without TTL. Or do both! Shoot with TTL first to get a technically perfect exposure, and then switch to Manual Mode with the same readings and settings and do whatever creative adjustments you feel like doing. It is a huge time saver. Plus you can leave that light meter at home!

Note that you will need to do download separate upgrades for the B1 Off-Camera Flash and the Air Remote TTL-C and Air Remote TTL-N, and then upgrade both flash and remote.

Once installed, HSS Mode is activated with a simple button-press. There is no need to change the flash bulb or messy stuff like that.

We have done our best to make the entire process as easy and user friendly as possible. But if you have any questions whatsoever, leave a comment below or send an email to info@profoto.com and we will replay as fast as we can.

This is a HUGE deal guys. Hi shutter speeds and the ability to use Nikon’s Auto FP high speed sync with the B1’s is a game changer. So many of us make our living mixing ambient light and strobes and need to freeze the action via shutter speed. Looks like you have a new customer. Thanks for making this happen.

Jeroen Bouman

Upgrades went perfect for both my B1’s and TTL-N, but in HSS-mode the LOWEST output in manual mode is 8.0 ?? That’s way too high for any practical use. In TTL-mode I can’t dim the output enough either. Am I doing something wrong?

don sheffler

Rebecca Ahremark

Thank you for your question regarding a FAQ. We have created FAQs for the Off-Camera Flash System and the products that it includes which have been very appreciated.
I will forward your request to our Product Marketing Team and we will have it in our mind when we work to improve our product information online.

First, Mr/Mrs Moderator I am terribly sorry for the first incomplete comment. My mouse batteries died and somehow the message was posted. Please delete this paragraph if you are so kind.

Michael, I tried several USB ports on my iMac (Yosemite) and it did not work. It might be your OS. I used another Macbook pro OS X version 10.9.5 and it worked like a charm. My advice is to try it on various machines until it works. May the Force be with you!!!

Updating went smoothly, but I have the same issue as Jeroen B. – can’t seem to get the output any lower than 8.0 in HSS-mode (using a Nikon D700). Is it a bug, a feature or just something, I am missing?

This has been clarified in the FAQ. Profoto uses the upper end of the power 7-10 on Canon 8-10 on Nikon when in Hi-S mode.

Now, let’s think about this for just a second. If you want lower power that probably means you are not trying to overpower the ambient light. If that’s the case, then shoot in normal mode with your fixed sync at 1/200 or 1/250 or less. If you are trying to freeze action, the short durations on the B1 will do just fine.

My experience using HSS with my Canon 600ex-rt lighting setup is that they too use a ton of power (both output and battery) when shooting HSS. So much so that on long shoots I’ve had them overheat and shut down. Don’t see that happening on the Profoto B-1’s.

Finally, HSS is a tool (or option) that can be used in different situations that are a challenge and should not be viewed as the end all be all setting.

My TTL-C worked first time. But be careful to fully the instructions precisely.

I have 2 TTL-Cs an earlier model and a more recent. I’m very impressed because I couldn’t use the TTL upgrade from a few months ago. I was told I would have to send the remote into a service centre to be upgraded. But this upgrade has worked fine.

Natalie Lawrence

I have upgraded and it doesn’t work at all. I have the normal Air Remote (i.e. not TTL-N for my Nikon).

I noticed from the FAQs that you say people need the TTL versions of the Air Remote. However, I do not want to go and buy another Air Remote that I don’t need, so please let me know how I can use HSS with the normal Air Remote.

Rebecca Ahremark

Hi Natalie. HSS is a part of the AirTTL system. Therefor it only works with either an Air Remote TTL-C (for Canon) or an Air Remote TTL-N (for Nikon). It doesn’t work with a regular Air Remote. / Rebecca Ahremark, Profoto.

Natalie Lawrence

Thanks Rebecca. I have to say this is very disappointing. Part of the attraction of the B1 was that I didn’t have to replace my Air Remote, which I haven’t had for long and works perfectly well with all the Profoto lights I’ve used.

Essentially, to use all the capabilities of the B1 now, I have to buy another Air Remote – at nearly £100 more than the normal Air Remote.

What is being done to accommodate people who have already bought Air Remotes from you?

PR_aero

Hi Natalie.
I´m a B1 user, not connected to Profoto otherwise.
I think it has been very clear from start that B1 TTL was only with the new remote. The old one (which I often still use when in full manuel) has never saif anything about TTL, /PR

chris

I also would love to see the B1 with TTL and HSS working with the Pentax 645Z! I know several photographers using the 645Z that would jump at the chance to use the B1 with HSS. It would revolutionize the way medium format is used in reguard to leaf shutters.

henrik

daniel c

I was set on purchasing the phottix indura 500 lamps mainly cause of price and hss..I could almost double the amount of b1 lamps I would buy. I am very happy to have gone with a b1 kit, and now hss is here. Thanks for the support and upgrade! Now more light shaping opportunities for exterior shooting.

Rebecca Ahremark

The minimum power restriction at 7.0 of the Canon system of reduces flexibility of the system. In close to create soft light, the lower limit of 7.0 could create some problems although a baffled light shaper can eat some of the excess light, having the ability to lower the power would be better. Other than this, things look pretty good including the consistency of high speed sync on TTL.

[…] the company’s popular B1 off-camera flash through a simple firmware update.In an announcement posted to its blog, Profoto writes that the new HSS is superior to other systems by being consistent while maintaining […]

Antony

I’m slightly perplexed. With the camera on manual I put the B1 in TTL mode on HSS. The image is significantly underexposed. I then switch the B1 to manual, with no other changes, and the image is blown out, overexposed. Why would there be a difference?

Rebecca Ahremark

Make sure you really hold the button for 60 sec (use a timer)
After that you connect the USB.
Still not recognized? If no I suspect you have something with the hardware.
Please contact your closest service station: http://profoto.com/int/profoto-service-stations

This is life, you will always be behind the curve because there’s constant improvement. This case of “planned obsolescence” holds especially true in photo gear. Nikon and Canon is slow at implementing new features because they know their shooters will keep buying every minor incremental improvement. Same with the makers of your lighting gear.

Linda Vos

I am having issues with the B1’s update – the TTL-C is installed but the B1 won’t install. The Firmware update Tool program “stopped working and needs to quit” as soon as I “click here to install”. What could the issue be? I’m on PC.

Linda

Rebecca Ahremark

1. Disconnect all things (ie B1 from your computer)
2. Restart your computer
3. Install / Run the upgrade program
4. Make sure the drivers are installed on your computer. This could take a few minutes depending on what kind of computer you have.
5. Remove the battery, wait 15 minutes (capacitor discharge)
6. Hold down B1 “TEST” button for at least 60 seconds
7. Connect the B1 with USB, wait until you hear the beep (USB connected)
8. Run the upgrade program

Rebecca Ahremark

When you attach the USB cable, do you get a clear beep out of the operating system? If you do, that means that the B1 gets its power from the USB.
If you get the beep, do you then get a confirmation from the operating system (windows)? Because you need to get that before you can proceed with upgrading. If you don’t, then the B1 does not communicate with the upgrade program and then you have to start over from step 1.

That’s the only thing I think you can try. If it still doesn’t work, unfortunately, you have to wait until your Service Station opens in January.

Michael Perrotta

Had the same problems yesterday, trying to establish USB connections with either PC or Mac. No dice. I left the B1 overnight without the battery and today it connected and upgraded with no problem. It’s worth a try.

Hi Profoto
I install the new Firmwire ,and it work Perfect ,from 8,000 shutter/2.8
To 500 shutter F22 .you guys are the best in the business .
I went to the beach and without a miss the Profoto B1 was shooting up to 3 frames a second with my Canon mark3 .
For all who can’t load Firmwire .slow down and read instructions .

gary

kameraguy

I would like to say thank you for the HSS upgrade. I see that some folks have had issues with their upgrades. However in my case, it went smoothly without issue. Actually, I just want to make a comment that the MAC versions of the installer are nicely done. Thank you to the team responsible for making it as painless as possible.

Victor

To begin, here is my setup:
Camera Nikon D4 shooting manual and the camera Flash sync speed set at 1/250* as I want to shoot with the B1 in HSS mode. (I am just testing what these bad boys can do) The camera is in continuous Hi at 10 FPS. The B1 head firmware have been upgraded with the latest HSS and it I set it to Freeze with the power set to 8, lowest power in Freeze mode.
This is what I noticed. The first two or three frames are correctly exposed, however, the following frames are underexposed. It look like I had the exposure bracketing on, which is not the case. Again, I am testing the B1 capabilities. Am I doing something wrong with my settings? Does anybody tried this? Is this normal? I understand that I just need one or two correctly exposed frames to get the job done, but I am curious.

1) with hss support the B1 has now everything I could ask from a flash
2) you made it possible with a firmware upgrade and not by releasing a new product, this really makes me feel confident with profoto brand.

cool thing – I am now the proud owner of the location kit. And I simply love the light!

But I have a severe Problem: My Air Remote TTL-N freezes nearly every 3 Minutes and I have to turn it of and on to obtain connectivity to the flashes again. Independently from using it either in TTL or manual Mode. So what´s wrong??

My SetUp is: Nikon D4 in Manual Mode using two B1s (Group A and B). I already did the HSS Upgrade…

Rebecca Ahremark

Rich Crable

Successfully updated on light, but the other refuses to cooperate. I have done all the recommended actions – rebooted Mac, tried different USB ports, tried different Macs. I get a chirp when I connect the UBS cable, but the “Click to start firmware update” box never activates to permit the upgrade. Any other ideas before calling for service?

Rich Crable

Yes Rebecca, I removed all other devices, rebooted the computer, and still no luck. Have tried with other Macs as well. Very strange since this was a 2-light kit, and the other light updated just fine. Any other ideas?

Rebecca Ahremark

Unfortunately not. If you tried all these things and also followed the instructions in question 27 in our FAQ and it’s still not working, it’s sounds like a hardware issue and you have to contact your local service station:

jason

I can not update my Air Remote TTL-C on my mac. The current firmware states that it is A6. I have tried unplugging my other USB devices and restarting my computer but to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions? I need this upgrade ASAP

Rich

Same problem (also with Mac), and I was not able to resolve it despite trying different computers, etc. I was within my 30-day return, so I am swapping the kit for a new one. Hopefully the problem won’t recur, but I am not especially optimistic.

Nice product really. Profoto is a the top of the foodchain when it comes to flash photography, however I have to play devils advocate for a minute.

I dont know where to adress my “complaints” so I do it here.

I had the chance of talking to a sales rep from profoto today, I vaguely aired my issues with him, but got ridiculed and dismissed as if I was a moron. I find that kind of behavior rather arrogant. Im a working photographer, he is a sales rep, I think I know a bit more about using flashes than he does. Anyways..

First. I love what you did here. It is a breakthrough, and everything is so near perfect, that it hurts my head how you missed what im about to point out.

Issue #1: Air Remote TTL great design, lovely display, layout, ease of use, everything exept – Button responsiveness. How is it possible for the remote not to be able to register quick repeatable button presses on the + – energy button. Its not like it has to verify anything, It just has to tell the head to turn up or down.. Cheap remotes like godox wistro have figured it out, you can to, no?

Issue #2: Where is the hybrid TTL / Manual mode? If you have a 3 head setup where one light is the key light on the subject and the others are effect light on the background scene, you dont want TTL on all 3 heads, you only want TTL on the keylight.

Profoto response: Put the 2 heads on Group D and use the no TTL air remote to control them.

You cant put that into one unit? Really? I need to fiddle with 2 remotes to do something like that?

Youre asking a premium for a remote, I expect it to be better than I can Imagine. Otherwise you should hire me.

Jim R

Hello Profoto- I purchased a B1 Kit 4 weeks ago- and just did the HSS upgrade tonight. I am having this issue- after the firmware upgrade all fully charged batteries (I have 4) only show up as 2/3 full when connected to my B1’s. Any ideas? thank you

Felix Wu

I am not that familiar with some of the product market positioning so I was referring to the Acute line of generators with analog controls. Would be great to have affordable generator style flash with the latest digital control for studio use. And let them have glass dome. 🙂

I currently have been shooting with two B1s and and bunch of profoto mods, they are fantastic. Just looking to add more lights but the B4 seems rather expensive and the B2’s power is a bit limiting. The size and weight factor of B2 is great and the fact it could be charging while shooting is excellent, but please make it more powerful. Guess battery tech is the bottle neck sometimes.

I could add more B1s but the backpack with two heads seems travelling just perfect. The additional lights will best go into a roller case if I need to move around. Also I don’t want to invest all eggs in one basket. Would prefer lighter heads with generator for boom use.

Look forward to the future products from profoto! Rebecca could you at least hint on when we will be expecting new products? xD

Nick Dawes

Thanks, I realize that, but I get a dramatic exposure reduction starting as early as 1/500 s. Which I was surprised about as i thought the flash duration on the B1s was pretty fast. I was curious whether the pulse mode would help with that?

Nick Dawes

Understood – but PLEASE release something ASAP.. In my studio (and on location), I own and use:
PhaseOne IQ250, Nikon D4, D800, D800E, D810 and I now have the Sony A7RII and I am really impressed with it. I have done a number of shoots using my B1s and my D1s and I am very impressed. It comes VERY close to the PhaseOne and I expect that I will be using the Sony more and more, probably selling all of my Nikon gear except the D4. So please put out a TTL unit for it!

I agree with the other commenters above who have asked for an air ttl remote compatible with the Sony’s. Please make one! Tons of shooters are changing over from canon to Sony right now for productions on location for lots of reasons. Would this be possible from a technical point of view? The experience of shooting with an a7rii with full b1 ttl and hss compatibility would be very useful. I already use my B lights heavily but i would probably use them even more if profoto made that happen. Thanks.

Jens-Linus Lundgren-Widén

Some USB connected equipment causes USB conflict problems. Before plugging in your Profoto B2 to the USB, make sure you have unplugged all other USB devices. Restart the update program and run the installer from start to finish. If that didn’t work, try reinstalling your USB drivers. On a Windows PC the only way to find out which one of the USB drivers to uninstall is to see where your Profoto equipment pops up in the windows device manager when you connect or disconnect your Profoto device. If the problem persists, contact your Profoto dealer and they will help you out.

Hello,
Despite downloading from the website the new firmware update,I have been unsuccessful. When I click to update the download process starts but then only downloads a PDF. I am having the same issue trying to download my TTL-c too. The website has no phone # for CS only a email request so would appreciate any input or a direct link to resolve my issue. Thank you

Yes, I am downloading directly from profoto & am using a Mac . The firmware update downloads and according to instructions the zip/upgrade w instructions is in the download but all that is inside is the two pages of pdf no firmware upgrade. I have gone round and round and even tried the download from dppreviews link all to no success- very frustrated as this should be a simple process. Do you happen to have a direct link to the download that I can try?
Thank you

As a few others have said, I’d love to see a TTL option for the Pentax 645Z, it’s such a killer camera and I want to use my B1s with it for my interiors photography. Pweeeeeze Profoto (on my knees begging!)

Hello, I own a Profoto B1 but as a pro I use medium formatI (Hasselblad H4X) will the HHS work on my camera or does it only work on Nikon and Canon?
sorry if the question has been asked before I could not find a precise answer.
Best Regards

Jens-Linus Lundgren-Widén

Barrie Brown

I have had this issue in the past and it occurred again today. After putting a newly recharged battery in a B1 the unit shuts down when the shutter is released. Pressing the test button on the unit usually doesn’t lead to the issue, using the test button on the remote usually doesn’t cause an issue (not enough trials to know for sure). Pressing the shutter release usually causes the flash to shut down without firing the flash.
I took the battery out and put it back and fortuantely the flash started to fire correctly from the camera – I am not sure my actions were responsible for this.
Have you seen this problem before – do you have any advice?
Last time this happened I was on a 3 day engagement shoot and it clearly presents a very serious problem when it arises.
My service centre (I am in Bangkok, Thailand) sent the units back to Europe last time this occurred. Do you have any advice???

Jens-Linus Lundgren-Widén

Yes, we have seen this behavior before on some rare cases. In most cases the problem were solved by changing the battery connector on the B1 at a Profoto service station. The problem can also be caused by a bad battery, and/or problem with an PC board, but change of battery connector should be first action.

Jens-Linus Lundgren-Widén

1. Unplug all USB devices.
2. Take away battery and discharge the B1 it by holding down on/off button for one minute.
3. Start firmware installer.
4. Connect B1 with USB cable – you should hear a beep.
5. The USB diver should start installing automatically. It can take a few minutes.
6. Start installation.

Saleh Alkouh

Jens-Linus Lundgren-Widén

TTL-N is compatible with D4s, but we have not tested it on the older model D4 so we cannot guarantee that it works. If you visit a dealer you can try it. You can find you closes dealer on our website: http://profoto.com/offcameraflash/find-dealer/

Chris

Can I get HSS using the B4 Air 1000 work with the TTL-C? I’m shooting with a Mark III body. I’ve done it before with rented equipment but for some reason can’t get it to work with the kit I just bought. Any help is appreciated and if this has already been addressed feel free to call me a kook and point me in the right direction. Thanks.